 Post-Op RALH, Days 1-6 (long post) |
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 Tomorrow will be one week since my RALH, and I am so amazed at my progress. Below is a brief history and recap of my experience that I hope will help someone, just as Hystersisters has helped me prepare for and ultimately have a successful procedure. It is a long post, but wanted to share some lessons learned already in less than a week post-op with you all:
I've had uterine fibroids for more than five years, but avoided a hysterectomy to keep my options for children open. Two years ago, I had a laparoscopic myomectomy and felt pretty good for awhile. Then, not only did the fibroids return, but I also developed a mass on my left ovary. My pelvic pain and bleeding symptoms became so bad that I ended up in the ER three times over a six-month period. I gave up several opportunities to travel because I needed to stay close to home and possibly my hospital in case another episode would happen, which of course, did. I realized that a pregnancy would not only be painful, but more than likely terminate because of my condition so I made the final decision to move forward with the RALH.
Luckily, I had found an incredible GYN surgeon who is a leader in the daVinci procedure, and an incredibly compassionate woman. She helped me realize that my quality of life will change, and a new world would open up for me, and I can already see myself heading into this healthier, happier life.
Pre-Op: I prepared my house by stocking up my fridge and pantry; made my bed with clean sheets and got my books, magazines, laptop, meds, you name it set up nearby. I exercised, danced, saw friends and got my office prepared as well. My husband took time off, and friends and family all pitched in to come in for days I'd be recovering to give him a respite. Did the lovely bowel prep with magnesium citrate and a liquid diet the day before surgery--fun!
Day 1: Bathed the morning of and listened to calm music before heading to the hospital. Met with anesthesiologist and surgeon who all recapped what would be happening: I'd get an I.V. sedative to help calm me just before surgery, then would receive I.V. anesthesia that would work in less than 10 seconds and then would be intubated during surgery. What I recall is kissing my husband, telling him I love him and being wheeled into a bright white room where the robotic laparoscope loomed overhead. I kept telling them I wish I had my camera ;-)! The sedative already worked and I can't remember anything from the surgery until I woke up in recovery, feeling the urinary catheter and telling the nurses I wanted to pee. I had already told the anesthesiologist that I have a history of severe nausea from anesthesia (my previous surgery), so he had prepared I.V. anti-nausea meds. This helped tremendously, and I recommend all women having surgery discuss this option with their anesthesiologist.
Once in my hospital room, it was ice chips and a liquid diet only. They gave my I.V. antibiotics, one of which gave me a bad reaction of nausea, so was taken off that. For pain, I was on a morphine pump (which I used rarely) and Toradol via I.V. Compression boots were in place, and I slept for most of the time. Bowels were quiet, which they checked for regularly--one of the areas that you must meet before discharge (BP, temp, nausea, urination, flatulence). Had some strange dreams, but knew they were a side effect from the anesthesia, so just told myself exactly that, so was not alarmed.
Day 2: The next morning, they quickly got me off the catheter and urinate on my own as well as start walking! I moved up to crackers, soup and applesauce--woo hoo! I was given an incentive spirometer to exercise my lungs and expel fluid from the lungs, prevent the chance of pneumonia, etc. My surgeon came by 3 times to follow up and examine me, as I had a fever spike. Bounced back nicely, though, and was discharged about 26 hours after my surgery, and began a course of Vicodin and 800 mg. of Ibuprofen for pain (Percocet was originally prescribed, but I have a history of severe nausea with that). Anti-coagulation compression socks were put on my legs to prevent clotting, and I'm to wear them for two weeks until my follow up appt. Dreams were strange again, but not alarming to me in any way.
Day 3: Woke up with horrible gas pains, so took Gas-X with fast relief. Felt pretty good as the day progressed, so I overdid a few activities, and ended up in pain and weak. Lesson learned: stay on your scheduled pain meds without deviation. I have read this throughout Hystersisters, but when you feel good, you somehow forget--so pay attention to this recurring advice on this site. Diet was mild: chicken soup, crackers, applesauce, bananas, carrot juice, etc. Also was prescribed Benefiber and Miralax to get my bowels moving and prevent constipation from the pain meds. Drank a ton of water and tried to ambulate regularly. Also made sure to use the spirometer. Had my first bowel movement, and felt I had hit a big milestone. My husband, then one of my best girlfriends took care of me all day. Was able to sleep, but had to get up several times during the night to urinate--fun!
Day 4: Repeated routine from previous day and introduced prunes to stay regular and keep my potassium levels up. Felt good, so I made breakfast for DH and me: bacon and eggs! Later on, had more girlfriends come visit along with my mom. DH brought home Chinese food, and I was able to eat fish, soup, rice and lo mein with my friends and family. Started to half my dose of Vicodin to take away the chance of constipation--bad idea; had twinges and abdominal pain, so needed to up by Ibuprofen and go back to scheduled doses. My BP became pretty elevated, so was prescribed a diuretic, with the doctor saying it was probably fluid retention from the surgery. That said, I decided to forgo the diuretic b/c of all the potential side effects, realizing it was the high sodium from the Chinese food and bacon! Many lessons today: stick to mild diet (low fat, high fiber, low sodium); stay on schedule with pain meds, hydrate with plenty of H20, ambulate by taking walks and don't jump into regular activities, including housecleaning even if you feel well!!
Dreams were fine, and slept for most of the night, even on my left side--another milestone!
Day 5: Got back on the wagon with my low fat, high fiber, low sodium diet. Was able to stop my Vicodin altogether, and take only Ibuprofen for pain, which was very minimal this day. Again, since I felt like I was "normal", ate a dinner that was on the salty side, and BP went up again, just a bit. Have had regular BMs and no gas pains for two days in a row, so did not need to take any more anti-gas meds or laxatives at all. Still following doctor's prescribed Benefiber 2-3x/day, which has really regulated my bowels--good stuff. Have resumed all my vitamins that were stopped prior to the surgery, including: Vitamin D, Fish Oil, COQ10, B vitamins and folic acid. Slept OK, but had anxiety about BP since strong family history of stroke and cardiovascular disease, so made a commitment to monitor diet and BP. Will take diuretic only if BP does not improve.
Day 6: BP much better this morning, and again, back on track with diet, movement, spirometer, fiber supplement, etc. Have transitioned to Tylenol only for pain, which is very mild to non-existent. Learned that Ibuprofen can affect BP and also can interact with diuretic if I would need to take it. Bottom line: Feel back to normal and am incredibly relieved the surgery and symptoms are behind me. I know there may be setbacks, but I also know that I can control them by listening more closely to my body--something I should have done earlier.
Surgical outcome: Enlarged, fibroid-filled uterus and cervix removed via RALH. Mass on left ovary turned out to be endometrioma, which was removed and sent to pathology--no evidence of cancer--yahoo! Scar tissue from previous surgery was webbed around bowels (removed), causing the severe abdominal pain I had been experiencing. I'm looking forward to a better quality of life, optimal health and many adventures with DH, friends, family and myself.
This was the best thing I could do for myself. I was told by a dear mentor: do what brings your body the most comfort. And that's exactly what I did.
Peace and good health to Hystersisters everywhere!
Related Titles
Ralh 9 days post op
Two days Post Op RALH - Long
Two days post-op from da Vinci (RALH)
RALH/BSO - 3 days post-op
TAH/BSO - First post - 4 days post-op (VERY long)
Casey Sprague, M.D.
3960 Coon Rapids Blvd. #101
Allina Women's Health
Coon Rapids MN 55433
763-236-9236 |
Arnold Advincula, M.D.
Florida Hospital Celebration Health
400 Celebration Plac
Celebration FL 34747
407-303-4190 |
John Lenihan, M.D.
314 ML King Jr. Way
Suite 104
Tacoma WA 98465
253-403-5432 |
Kym Boyman, M.D.
1775 Williston Rd., Ste. 110
South Burlington VT 05403
802-735-1252 |
Megan Bird, M.D.
364 SE 8th Ave, Suite 205
Hillsboro OR 97202
503-681-4145 |
Ken Sinervo, M.D.
1140 Hammond Dr., Ste. F6220
Atlanta GA 30328
770-913-0001 |
Chanda Reese, M.D.
3001 Coral Hills Dr., Suite 300
Coral Springs FL 33065
954-341-2916 |
Nadia Mileo, M.D.
3001 Coral Hills Dr., Suite 300
Coral Springs FL 33065
954-341-2916 |
John Thiel, M.D.
100-2631 28th Ave
Regina Canada_Saskatchewan S4S6X3
306-586-1800 |
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